The general rule in California is that employees are considered to employed "at will," meaning that they may be fired at any time by their employers, for any reason or for no reason at all. However, there are important exceptions to the "at will" rule.

A union owes a duty of fair representation to all of the workers it represents. This duty requires that the union act fairly, impartially, and without ill will or discrimination when pursuing a worker"s grievance or when negotiating a new contract with the employer.

In most circumstances, employers can terminate employees “at will,” meaning at any time for any reason. And they are not even required by law to give the reason for a discharge. Read more from the links below.

Domestic violence and sexual assault survivors often need to take time off from their jobs to go to court to testify against a batterer or perpetrator or to get a restraining order to protect themselves and their children. Under California Labor Code 230, which is part of the “Survivors of Domestic Violence Employment Leave Act,” survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are entitled to job-guaranteed time off from work to testify in court as a witness or to ensure the health and safety of themselves and their children. Read more at the link below.

Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking survivors are often afraid of being harmed by an abuser, perpetrator of sexual assault or stalker while at work or are harmed at work by these individuals.

This 3-part video series discusses: (1) your rights at work while pregnant, including taking time off for prenatal care, pregnancy accommodations and discrimination protections; (2) your rights to take time off with job-protection and income replacement to have a baby and bond with your new child; and (3) your rights at work as a new parent, such as returning to work after maternity or paternity leave, breastfeeding accommodations and time off to care for a sick child.